Been a really busy time lately – last week I was out and about at the glorious Sheffield Park in East Sussex for a family shoot with Natasha, Alastair and their twin boys and daughter.  I am taking the wedding photos for Natasha and Alastair at Buxted Park Hotel in June but thought we would combine a pre-wedding/family shoot. I’ve added a few images from the trip – using a few funky techniques to add a bit of difference to some of the images.

Today I was out with Adele and Martyn for their pre-wedding shoot in Eastbourne.  We met at the Wish Tower and headed down onto the beach before walking up to Hollywell.  I’ll upload some of their images shortly.  Back to Eastbourne tomorrow as well for a Karen & Richard’s wedding – ceremony and reception will be held at the beautiful Grand Hotel and hopefully, weather permitting, photos at Beachy Head – fingers crossed and photos to follow!

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I have joined Rock My Wedding as one of their suppliers.  This is a fabulous wedding blog, updated regularly with information, ideas, real weddings etc.. Please go and check it out – http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk – you will see my link on the right hand side (with the new logo) – just click straight through to my site from there and I’m also offering a 5% discount off of all my album package options if you quote ‘Rock My Wedding’ in your enquiry.  Do enjoy the site – I think it is one of the best and don’t just take my word for it – they have been voted in the top 100 Wedding Blogs for 2010.

Yesterday was a very special day indeed and I am so pleased to have been a part of Lottie & Rob’s day.  Lottie had selected many of Buxted Park’s recommended suppliers – so it was particularly enjoyable for myself to be working with friends and colleagues – all of whom should get a mention:  Leo on Video – http://www.perfect-day-studios.co.uk, Pollen on flowers and decorations – http://www.pollenflowers.co.uk, Fiona on the harp  – http://www.harpist.uk.com, Alan and Robert as Toastmasters – http://www.thetoastmaster.org.uk and http://www.thetoastmaster.me and Alan Bannister and his band – http://www.aballstars.co.uk.   We had a wonderful day at Buxted Park, as usual, under the watchful eye of the fabulous Marc Desseaux.  I have uploaded quite a few images to this blog – more than I usually do but I wanted to include all of the special moments that I know Lottie and her family & friends will enjoy to see.  Lottie arrived with her Uncle in his beautiful Triumph and the fantastic cake was made by a dear friend of Lottie’s and each guest had a Wonka bar of chocolate – 4 of which contained a golden ticket!

I have been advised from two couples this weekend that they have been trying to make contact with me by filling in my contact form on my website.  I have unfortuately not received either of these contacts but lucky have been in touch via other means.  If anyone has tried lately to contact me via this method, please do email me again to sarah@critchlowphotography.co.uk – I am in the process of trying to sort this issue out!  Many thanks Sarah

Back over to the wonderful South Lodge Hotel yesterday for Clare & Matt’s wedding.  A really lovely day, again with lots of fun and laughter.  The flowers were gorgeous – provided by South Lodge’s recommended florist Fleurs – http://www.fleursflorist.co.uk.  The day stayed fine for us and we were able to take all the group shots and bride & groom shots outside – a real bonus considering the torrential rain I am now faced with as I load up the car this morning for the Wiston House wedding fayre!!

Here are some images from their day – have a great honeymoon you two and see you when you get back.

oh that was shocking!

Just a quick reminder that I shall  be at the Wiston House wedding fayre this Sunday from 11 to 4pm – last wedding show of the New Year and really looking forward to it – http://www.wistonhouse.org.uk.  It is a fantastic venue and I shall have with a super Queensberry album from a Wiston House wedding fayre last year.

The redesign of my website is moving briskly forward now – after quite a few phones calls yesterday with Freebird http://www.freebird.co.uk – we settled on a brand new logo for my new branding – still keeping my turquoise blue and the heart but I love the redesign.  Onwards now to the website itself – can’t wait to have the new site live!

Also booked myself on a seminar in April with Jeff Ascough and Joe Buissink – http://www.jeffascough.com and http://www.joebuissink.com – Jeff is from the North of England and Joe is from the States but travels all of the world and photographs many celebrities.  I have seen them both speak before and loved it so this is a second chance to soak up all that they have to say.  Jeff is a master at low light imagery and I love Joe’s work – can’t wait to hear them both speak again in April.

One other link I would like to let you know about – a new concept has opened in Eastbourne – http://www.onestopweddingshop.co.uk – this is a totally new venture – it is basically a permanent wedding fayre location offering brides information and help on arranging their day – whether it be just one part of the day or the whole day.  They have linked up with top local suppliers in all areas from venues to photographers, videographers, bridal dresses and mens attire, flowers, cakes, cars, stationery – you name it – it is there.  I am really pleased to be associated with this new venture and I know they will be promoting themselves over the coming months as they open their doors to the public.  So if you are struggling with your wedding plans – go and visit them – they are at 20 South Street in Eastbourne – you will receive a very warm welcome and lots of help and guidance.

Straight back to Buxted Park yesterday for Kylie & Andy’s wedding.  It was a 4pm ceremony in the Orangery and although I for one was delighted that we had a lovely bright afternoon – unfortunately Kylie was a little disappointed as it wasn’t quite dark enough!  It was a day full of fun and lots of laughter – there was one moment with a candle that was a little scary … but nothing was going to stop Kylie laughing.  Here are a few images from their wonderful day.

It’s been a bit of a manic week again with a trip to Lincolnshire as well.  As promised here are a few images from last Sunday spent in Brighton with Zoe and James and their beautiful labrador Lucy.  We met at the Brighton Pavilion and having taken some images in and around the area, we headed off to the seafront.  It was chilly but bright and perfect for the photos – although the coffee was just what we needed as well!   Really looking forward to Zoe & James’ wedding day at the end of April – St. Mary’s Parish Church in Horsham followed by South Lodge Hotel.

January turned out to be far busier than I had throught – only two weddings but 3 wedding fayres, pre-wedding shoots and more to follow! Back out at weddings for the next two weekends and then I really settle into the wedding season from March – can’t wait.  As well as all of this, I have started the process of working with a fantastic company called Freebird – http://www.freebird.co.uk – who are redesigning my website – I’m particularly excited about the inclusion of an e-brochure which will be part of the new site.  I’m also delighted to say that I shall be at Wiston House on the 28th February 2010 for their wedding fayre – http://www.wistonhouse.org.uk – I did a super wedding there last year which I have a range of stunning Queensberry albums from – Tierney and Mark – I have added a few of their images in this post.  I’m also delighted to say that I’ve been invited to be one of the East Sussex National’s recommended suppliers – http://www.eastsussexnational.co.uk.  They have sponsored a company to produce a beautiful wedding brochure for them and I was really impressed with their plans for weddings in 2010 and beyond.

Just as an aside – I have a few key dates available for weddings at the moment – 22nd and 29th May, 5th June and the 24th July and the 28th August – if you are planning your wedding on one of these days and have not yet booked your photographer, I would be delighted to speak with you about your wedding photography requirements.  I do have some Fridays and Sundays available throughout the year as well.

Back out tomorrow for Zoe & James’ pre-wedding shoot in Brighton – meeting at the Pavillion and will take it from there – so many options for locations in Brighton – I will post some images tomorrow afternoon!

Here are a few images taken at the stunning Wiston House.

I was delighted to spend the day yesterday with my friends Sam & Dave for their January wedding.  It was a beautiful, bright day albeit very cold!  St. Nicolas is tucked behind the High Street in Pevensey and a short walk to the castle ruins – a really lovely old church with a choir and bellringers. After the ceremony we walked the short distance down to the castle archway and then saw Sam & Dave off in the Moggie – complete with tin cans! We then headed off for a reception in Stone Cross, decorated with fuscia pink bows and table decorations and a wonderful selection of cup cakes for the wedding cake as well as Fiona Hosford who played the harp throughout the wedding breakfast.  Adam made a brilliant bestman’s speech and with a little help from the family, showed a slideshow of hilarious and embarassing photos of the bride and groom!  I love seeing those 80’s styles again!  Here are a few images from their day.

You wouldn’t believe what they were laughing at – I just wish I had caught that on camera!